Linda Died 57 Years Ago Today

Note: If you’d like to follow the progress of my book, follow Linda on Twitter, @MrsColePorter. Believe me, if Linda were alive today, she would totally use Twitter.

Linda Lee Thomas Porter died on this day, May 20, 1954. She died in her apartment in the Waldorf Towers after a long battle with emphysema.

Linda described her illness as “smothering spells.” Imagine that: smothering to death over the course of a decade. She once said, “I suppose I shouldn’t want to stop coughing as I have coughed for so many years, if I stopped, the shock might kill me.”

Here’s what helped her live a few years longer than she might have otherwise:

Her own personal oxygen tent.

Air conditioning.

Recuperative trips to Arizona ranches and Colorado luxury hotels, where the air was drier.

A summer mansion in the Berkshires, far away from hot, humid New York. She bought the mansion around the time Cole started spending summers in Hollywood. Linda rarely joined him there, said she couldn’t breathe in California, although it’s not clear whether the problem was air quality or Cole’s somewhat decadent pool parties.

For the last two years of her life, Linda was virtually housebound. Or rather, Waldorf bound. Every morning, she’d rise, do her makeup, don a tea gown, and make her way to the sofa. Cole lived in a nearby apartment, and if he was in town, they’d lunch together, but they didn’t see each other a lot otherwise.

She received many visitors. One of them, Lady Astor, noticed that two brand new Mainbocher evening gowns hung in Linda’s closet, purchased in the hope that she’d recover enough to wear them someday. Lady Astor reportedly said, “Why don’t you give me your Mainbocher’s. You’ll never wear them again.”

This was two years before she died.

Towards the end, Linda coughed so hard she broke a rib. Her once-great beauty was completely gone. The pain medicine and lack of oxygen made her mind go vague. She slipped in and out of consciousness, struggling to breathe. In May 1954, Cole was in California working on the score for Silk Stockings, but a week before she died, the doctors said he needed to come to New York. It was time.

When she first saw Cole, Linda was lucid enough to say, “I want to die. I’m in so much pain.” She asked Cole to bury her outside her mansion in Williamstown, Buxton Hill. He agreed. She held his hand and said, “If only I was important enough so that a flower or something would be named for me.”

And sometime after that, she died.

Cole did have a rose named in Linda’s honor, but he didn’t bury her in Willisamstown, as she asked. Instead, he buried her in my hometown, Peru, Indiana, in the Cole family plot at Mount Hope Cemetery, where many of my own family members are buried. I used to ride my bike through this graveyard. I thought the Cole family gravestones looked like tiny baby teeth.

A few months ago, I was in New York and went on a historical tour of the Waldorf-Astoria. Cole Porter is a main character in “The Waldorf Story,” his name invoked over and over again, but when I asked the tour guide if she knew anything about Linda, she said, “Isn’t it sad that she died so young?”

I said, “She didn’t die young. She was in her 70’s.”

The tour guide got defensive. “Well, I don’t know about that.”

At that moment, we were on the 41st floor, touring an empty apartment. I couldn’t help but wonder if it had been Linda’s. “Do you know if this apartment was Cole’s or Linda’s? They had adjoining apartments on this floor.”

The tour guide shook her head. “Cole Porter’s apartment was on the 33rd floor. That I know!”

“Yes,” I said, “that’s the apartment he moved into after Linda died. The one decorated by Billy Baldwin. But they lived on the 41st floor for decades.” I fought the urge to reach into my bag and pull out Cole Porter’s biography.

The tour guide smiled tightly and walked away.

Yes, I was showing off, being a smarty pants. Also, I wanted an impossible thing: for the official historical tour of the Waldorf to tell Linda’s story, too. I wanted everyone on that tour to know that the money that paid for Cole’s apartment and grand lifestyle was just as much hers as his. I wanted them to know that Linda devoted her life and her fortune to making sure that he would become someone great, someone we’d always remember.

And so, when I was in Peru the other day visiting my grandparents, I stopped by Linda’s grave. It’s very strange to stand at the real grave of your fictional character. I didn’t have a rose on me, only a Milky Way candy bar.

I stood there a moment. I looked at her gravestone.

All the other Cole gravestones indicate date of birth and death, but not Linda’s. I guess that after making sure the stone read that SHE WAS THE WIFE OF COLE PORTER, there wasn’t room to tell us when she was born (November 17, 1883).

I thought about all the women I’ve ever met—in life and in books—who married great men rather than pursuing greatness themselves. I thought of all the sisters and wives and mothers and devoted daughters—all the Lindas—behind every beautiful thing.

I felt silly, but I said it. Out loud. I told her I was trying my best. I told her she wasn’t forgotten.

I came to your blog, and this wonderful entry on what might be called the life and death of the wife – thanks to the link from the excellent Benjamin Percy interview you’ve referenced. I’m happy to have found your site.

I just heard that LOVE, LINDA: THE LIFE OF MRS. COLE PORTER is coming back to a larger NYC venue in 2012, and found your page.
I saw the show in it’s earlier runs at the Triad Theater, and can tell you that this is one of the most beautiful, honest and deservedly glamorous portrayals of Linda Porter that ever existed…performed and sung by the brilliant jazz vocalist Stevie Holland. Hope you get a chance to see it!

Hey Darlin’, loads of great ladies and great men go unrecognised but for those that love them. Wonderful that you are taking the place of a child never born to speak for these two, particularly lovely Linda. A remarkable female. Proud to be one myself.

I just found your blog as I was doing a search on Linda Porter, your story is just beautiful. I’ve seen the movie De-Lovely and although it isn’t very historically correct, it’s amazing to see how this woman gave her all to make sure that Cole Porter had a very successful career, and she would turn a blind eye to his many indiscretions and wild parties, I guess after her first husband abusing for the time they were married just made her think of having a safe marriage.

I hope to be able to read those books that you have mentioned, right now my finances aren’t too great and so they will have to wait for another time. I thank you for sharing your knowledge about the Porters and so sorry that the people at the Waldorf Astoria couldn’t be any help to you, seems that after all the years gone by, the people who knew everything about them must not have shared that part of info with them and so they only seem to know the basic facts, and figure that not everyone would care to learn or hear more about the Porters. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge, Linda Porter’s grave side and headstone look lovely, I wonder who placed a flower on her grave? Have a lovely day.

I just wanted to say that I’m looking forward to reading your book. I’ve seen De-Lovely and I’ve always wanted to know more about Linda. As a wife who’s often given her all for the success of her husband, I’d love to know more about HER. Thanks for noticing her and telling her story. Blessings!

I loved De-Lovely and I was so curious about the life of Linda and what happened in actuality compared to the movie was somehow different. Though I had one of my girls Isa and I’ve decided to not let her die with Linda but weep out a terrible goodbye and decided that she can’t take all of this drama anymore and decided to go home.

I was first introduced to Cole Porter in my teens when watching the movie “Night and Day.” Then, wanting more, I dug through my parents’ album collection and discovered “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book”. I have been in love with Cole and Ella ever since. I then purchased the book “The Life That Late He Led” through Book of the Month (I know I am really dating myself) in 1967. I still have the book. And, I love the movie “De-Lovely.”

Something I have always been curious about: Whatever happened to all those wonderful cigarette cases? Is there a Cole Porter museum? Please let me know.

I also attempted to find information on the cigarette cases that Linda gave to Cole. Information is sketchy, but I did find a reference to a Parke-Bernet Galleries auction on May 17, 1967, of
“Presentation Cigarette Cases & Boxes from the Late Cole Porter.”

They were sold to benefit the New York Public Library’s Theater Collection at Lincoln Center. Have not been able to locate a copy of the auction catalogue, but was told that it had black & white illustrations.

Thanks for information on the catalogue in the Yale collection. Had assumed that the collection was dispersed to many private collectors at the auction, but it would be interesting to view the design and inscriptions of the cases if they were illustrated in the catalogue. Also of interest is
the designer(s) – craftsmen of the cases (In Delovely, a character says Linda was keeping Cartier’s busy, but some of my research suggests that they may have come from Fulco di Verdura and the exclusive shop on 5th Ave
that Cole helped him set up in 1939.

Since Linda was so chic, will you discuss her fashion sense in clothing, accessories, and jewelry in your book? The stunning blue crystal multi-strand necklace, in Delovely, is certainly modeled after a Verdura design. And like the Duchess of Windsor (another Verdura client), I think it is this fashion sense that the fascinate us and add to Linda’s allure.

I imagine they said “Cartier’s” because it’s a more familiar name. I can’t remember, but I believe some of the cigarette cases were made by Van Cleef and Arpels. My book will deal with her fashion sense, since that is such an important part of who she was, although I confess I am more interested in other aspects of her character.

we have watched the movie …De Lovely
and a lovely movie about Cole Porter and
his beautiful wife… Linda Lee
we love all his songs… and we know their story
will be remembered for years and years… Day and Night

Finished watching the movie De-Lovely and had to get more information about Linda. This was a great source. I know what it’s like to be the forgotten wife, although on a much lower rung of the ladder, and thanks to you she will not be forgotten.

Thank you so much for this interesting piece. I have read every Porter biography. Winsor French helped Linda decorate the Porters’ beautiful home in Williamstown. I just ordered Out and About with Winsor French. He was my neighbor in Cleveland to learn more about Linda. Was she gay too? I have read allegations that she was.

So glad to meet someone who knew Winsor. If you’re from Cleveland, you’ll LOVE Out and About. Personally, I don’t think Linda was a lesbian. Although, yes, she hung out with a group of women who made lives together: Elsie DeWolfe, Bessie Marbury, and Anne Morgan. Ultimately, both she and Elsie chose to marry men rather than go solo or have “Boston Marriages.” That’s one of the many things that interests me about her. Honestly, I don’t think there’s any way to know for certain what happened in her bed. But I can imagine. One of the benefits of being a fiction writer, not a biographer.

I stumbled on your site quite by accident in trying to find out if there were any pictures of the opening night cigarette cases that Linda gave Cole. I was very touched by your blog about the anniversary of Linda’s death and now I’m very anxious to read your novel. I must confess being a bit obsessed with Cole & Linda Porter since seeing De-Lovely, and being completely fascinated by their glamorous though unconventional relationship. Before that movie, which I realize is not a strictly historical account of their lives, I had no idea that Linda played such a huge part in his success. Thankfully, Irwin Winkler told her story as well.

By sheer coinicidence, I re-watched “De-Lovely” on the 59th anniversary of Linda Porter’s death. Always loved the classic movies & music from before my time. So often I mention movies, names, lines from song or film from my parent’s era or earlier…& so few know to whom or what I am referring. So I love that you were a “smarty pants” & admit I’d have done the same to correct the docent. To let this beautiful, colorful, artisitic era be forgotten is not only sad but wrong. And to forget Linda’s role in Cole’s life & how, through her love for him, she contributed to his music, is equally wrong. Thank you for your blog. And I’ll be looking for your book as soon as I complete this entry.

As I was looking to buy Linda Porter Rose Bushes , I stumbled onto your blog .
Beautiful tribute and I love that you corrected the guide at the Waldorf .
My mother said it was not polite to correct someone , but in this case , as the lady was giving false information ,you are right to do so .
One of my favorite movies is ‘De-Lovely” , Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd .
We all know the magic of Hollywood ,( I have to laugh here ) has a habit of changing the truth .
Truly Linda Lee Porter had a great deal to do with the success of Cole Porter . If not for her , there may not have been a Cole Porter at all .
So , as I stumbled onto this blog , it certainly is a lovely trip ………and with no bruised knees .
Thank you for sharing Cathy . Jorgi

What a treat to find you! I have been trying to find out more about Linda for quite a while. I keep coming up with the same facts over and over.
Can you tell us the name of you book and when it will be out? I will be one of the first in line to purchase it.
Thank you for ferreting out information on an unsung yet fascinating person.
Kind regards,
Marjorie Gore

Just watched De-lovely again for the 2nd time. Very well done. Cole Porter was a genius & it looks like Linda Lee brought out the best in him. What a story, drama, comedy, romance, all. In fact life with fabulous music. Looking forward to reading your book when it comes out!
Melinda

I have been interested in Cole Porter since I learned he was the author of Begin the Beguine which was a song my parents enjoyed. He was also heard here in Latin America, and for my in-laws, for example, that song is “their song”. After watching De Lovely I have had a good time listening to many of his songs and interpretations. When your book is out I would like to know so I can get a copy and I hope you can include pictures, because eventhough they were socialites there seem to be not many pictures of them around. Eleonora

Dear Cathy, I think this was a beautiful post. And I also believe that stories of their women are just as important as the great men. It is so sad that many women are only known for being someones wife. My grandfather won the nobel prize in 1955 and to this day his story is out there but my grandmother was just his wife. The family and many in the Icelandic nation have been telling her story now finally. So I know exactly what you mean. Thank you.

Okay… I admit I was one of those Lina porter rose seekers and used google. Firstly I saw just. Pics and then something about Cathy Day & wondered how she factored into finding more about the rose. I then got sidetracked in reading tha Man on the Phone & can relate given I’ve provided faculty support for over 20 yrs. and many work darn hard & spend long hours helping students. Anyway… An hour later I return to Linda and am very pleased that a book just about Linda is forthcoming. Awaiting its arrival on my Kindle. Bye for now… Off to pick up my search once more for the lovely Linda Lee Porter rose.

I’ve followed a trail leading from the current listing of the Porter home to this site, digging up interesting pieces of information about the house and how it was used while they lived in it. So sad that Linda couldn’t have been buried in the MA house. She seemed to love that house more than Cole. You’d think after that long of an “agreement” that benefitted him greatly over his whole life, he would have done the right thing and honored her last wish. I hope some day someone leaves an honorary grave stone on the property to fulfill this for her. Makes me feel badly towards Cole as a person – who now seems rather self indulgent and pathetic.

John, I also wish Cole had honored Linda’s wishes, and yes, when I first began writing about their marriage, I also felt badly towards him. But my attitude has softened a bit. You should read George Eells biography. He was friends with Cole and shares many personal anecdotes that lead me to think that Cole wasn’t purposely cruel. Just clueless. Thanks so much for finding your way here.

Hi Cathy,
As so many others have mentioned, I came across your page while looking for Linda’s rose… And right after my 4th or 5th viewing of De-Lovely. I know it wasn’t exactly historically accurate but still such an enjoyable movie. I’m just now downloading a biography of Cole and hope to find your book about Linda available soon. Write faster!

Your tribute is lovely. Got teary-eyed just now reading it for the second time. Just finished reading W. McBrien’s biography which has only further fueled my fascination with both Cole and Linda. I cannot join the blog, but will keep checking this site for information regarding your Linda book. Does the project have a title? Hope you are able to include photographs of her jewelry since she supposedly had only the finest. Would love to see the cigarette cases too. Finding any photographs online has proved difficult. I have only this not so smart phone.

Hello, I came across your blog while researching a family piano. It belonged to Linda’s family. There are several letters from Linda to family members and they are addressed from the Waldorf Astoria. She speaks a lot of Cole and I treasure them!

I just watched the movie De-Lovely a lil while ago. Even tho I’ve seen it many txs before, when I watch it, it always feels like it’s the 1st time.
I know when books are made into movies they aren’t always accurate w/the story. For that reason, I now always check to see if there have been any documentaries made about that subject as well.
De-Lovely made me want to know more about the real Linda Porter. So when I googled to see images of Cole & Linda Porter, I came across your blog as well. That is when I saw your blog was more about Linda than Cole & I wanted to know more about her. Also, Ashley Judd’s performance of Linda was great & that sparked my interests also.
Linda Porter was glamorous & not just old hollywood glamour either. She had beauty, class, intelligence, impeccable taste when it came to fashion & she was a loyal wife who stood by her man! Almost to a fault tho.
I have always loved that era of history when it came to fashion in music, movies & everyday life! It was just something about women’s lives in that era that intrigued me.
I am an intelligent 44yr old widowed mother, raising my 13yr old son that thinks, me watching the History Channel is corney, (lol). Growing up I’ve often told my parents that I believe I was born in the wrong time period or I have lived a few past lives! I feel very attached to the era of the Ancient Egyptians & Persians. Also the 1920’s, 30’s, 50’s & 60’s.
Anyhoo, I was so happy to read that you’ve written a book about the life of Linda Lee Cole. I know I may be a lil late on finding out about your book, but it is definitely on my list of items to purchase asap!

Thank you, Michelle. Linda felt very connected to Ancient Egypt as well. I’m actually working on a chapter right now in which she visits there for the first time: in 1909. Thank you for writing. These messages from people who are interested in reading my book really help keep me motivated!

What serendipity! A search for “Linda Cole’s Cigarette Cases” connected me to your site.
I’ve bee a lifelong fan of Colie’s, and am fond of simply reading his lyrics for the sheer pleasure of those wisdoms lurking behind the whimsicality, captured in such sublimely delicious rhyme, and then married to those unforgettable tunes.
In my next incarnation I insist on being both a lyricist and composer, so if you hang around long enough, you might be exposed to my work.
I’m afraid it will sound a lot like Porter.
I’m delighted to read that you are writing about Linda whom I have always known to have been an enormously important though mysterious presence in his life.
Please let me know when I may be able to enrich my library with your book.
with best wishes, George.
Vancouver, BC

I am fascinated by the Porters. I adore the music , lyrics and the fashion.
Yet after watching De Lovely , I wanted to know more. I wanted to meet Linda so to speak.
Which led me to you, Cathy.
I wonder why so few photos exist of Linda. As she was a style icon.
One photo of Linda is stunning.
I believe they were in love. Many relationships are successful for different reasons.
I can’t wait to read your book.
“So in love “, by Cole is one of my favourite songs. Cole was a genius.

What started your interest in Linda Lee Porter?
I would imagine writing a book would take a long time.
Please don’t hurry.. Writing a book doesn’t happen over night.
Have you suggestions of where I may find more information and photos about Linda Lee.

When you are ready your book will appear. Happy writing.

Fondest Regards
Cherie
PS I love Cole Porter’s music , I think I belonged in that era. As I have Art and clothes , left to me from the 192o’s , From my Grandparents.

Well I am years and years late to the party! Linda sounded like an amazing woman and survivor of many different lives. Glad there is a rose with her name so she will always be remembered! Did you ever publish your book about her?

I wish you would have posted a date that this article was written, so we could figure out what year it was and how old she lived. The title is “Linda Doed 57 Years Ago Today” yet you give no date or hint of a date. That threw me off of interest, sorry